NATIONAL LEGISLATIVEDIRECTOR

UPDATE

From the National Legislative DirectorWe have received numerous requests for different information and facts that were addressed or discussed at the 2016 Convention. Recently, members have been asking for a copy of our example introductory letter to Congress, which was a part of our Legislative Report to the Delegates. While it is necessary for our members to contact Congress on a variety of issues affecting railroad retirees, it is also wise that we educate the offices representing the Congressional Districts where we reside. The point of being involved in NARVRE is to remain active by letting Congress know who we are and what we expect them to protect. We want them to understand some critical facts on the history and structure of the Railroad Retirement System. We want them to know us as one of their voting constituents, and also as a member of our national retiree association. The work we do as individual constituents is a tool that binds us together as one voice speaking on behalf of all railroad retirees. As NARVRE members, we have our own special interest...the Railroad Retirement System. Hence, communication with your Representative in Congress can be a valuable tool and asset in protecting our retirement system. The following example is for your review and use. The best advice is to keep it concise and to the point and I have tried to do both in the following example. You may receive a response from an aide in their office. That would be an opportune time to express and expand on your remarks. Thank you.

Example Communication to Your Representative in the U.S. Congress (Facts on Railroad Retirement)

​The Honorable John A. DoeUnited States House of RepresentativesWashington, D.C. 20515Dear Rep. Doe,​I am a constituent of yours and reside in (City & State). I am a railroad retiree with XX years of service on the XXX Railroad. I am covered under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) and receive my benefits and my retirement annuity through the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Many members of Congress have been confused as to the history and structure of the Railroad Retirement System, even though it has been around for almost 80 years. As my Representative in Congress, I want you to understand the facts on railroad retirement. Railroad Retirement Benefits and annuities are not funded by general taxpayer dollars, nor do they add to the U.S. fiscal deficit. Railroad Retirement benefits and RRB operations are funded with payroll taxes from railroad employers and their railroad employees. Railroad payroll taxes are transferred from the RRB to the Social Security Administration (SSA), where accounting separates out the Tier 1 benefit dollars in order to pay RRB annuitants. Other Tier 1 benefits above and beyond this are paid entirely out of the Railroad Retirement Trust Fund, such as the 2001 bipartisan legislation (Public Law 107-90) allowing employees with 30 years of service to retire at age 60. Under the Railroad Retirement Act, if the Railroad Retirement Trust Fund faces a shortfall, the onus is on the railroad carriers alone to raise their own taxes...not the employee taxes, and certainly, not the American taxpayer taxes. Tier ll benefits are fully funded by additional payroll taxes paid solely by railroads and their employees. Railroad retirement taxes have historically been higher than Social Security taxes, in order to finance certain benefit payments over and above social security levels. This is an abbreviated summary of a larger explanation that was circulated to Congressional offices in 2012 by the freight railroads, rail labor and NARVRE, after an unsubstantiated House Report 112-421 (H. Con Res. 112) proposed that Congress conform Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits to Social Security benefits. That Resolution also states that doing so would save U.S. taxpayers $2 billion over 10 years, which is simply not true. Other false statements have held that our Railroad Retirement Board performs a duplication of work with the SSA. Again, this is not true. I am a member of the National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE). If you need more information, or if you have a question on railroad retirement, NARVRE would advise that you please contact the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Agency for the facts, verification and accuracy. As your constituent, I would appreciate being added to your E-newsletter. Thank you,Sincerely,Name AddressEmail address (if applicable) ********************************Gary FaleyLegislative